How to Make a Maple Walnut Latte at Home with Dairy-Free Creamer

A warm maple walnut latte is the kind of drink that makes a chilly morning feel special — and it’s surprisingly easy to recreate at home without dairy. The key is using a plant milk that steams well and a few simple flavorings that bring out the nutty sweetness of maple. With the right ingredients, you can skip the coffee shop line and make a clean, delicious latte in minutes.

Elmhurst’s line of plant milks and creamers are designed with simplicity in mind — no gums, oils, or artificial additives. That means you get a latte that tastes pure and lets the maple and walnut flavors shine. Let’s walk through the steps to build your own perfect cup.

Why Choose a Dairy-Free Maple Walnut Latte?

Many coffee shop lattes rely on syrups filled with refined sugar, stabilizers, and dairy that can leave you feeling heavy. A homemade version lets you control the sweetness and choose clean, plant-based ingredients. Maple syrup adds natural sweetness with a subtle earthiness that pairs beautifully with walnuts, while a creamy plant milk provides the body without any of the dairy downsides.

If you’re new to dairy-free lattes, the texture can be the biggest hurdle. That’s where a barista-friendly plant milk like Elmhurst’s Cashew Barista Edition comes in. It’s crafted to froth and steam just like traditional milk, giving you that velvety microfoam you expect. Using a clean base means you’re not masking flavors with gums or fillers — just pure, nutty richness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make a maple walnut latte for one, you’ll need: 1 cup of your favorite plant milk (the Cashew Barista Edition works beautifully for frothing), 1 to 2 shots of espresso or ½ cup strong brewed coffee, 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, ½ teaspoon walnut extract or a splash of walnut syrup, and a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for garnish. Optional: a dollop of dairy-free whipped cream or a drizzle of extra maple on top.

For an even richer sip, you can swap part of the plant milk for a flavored creamer. The Oat Creamer Variety 6 Pack offers several options that can tweak the flavor — try the Brown Sugar Oat Creamer for a deeper caramel note or the Pistachio Crème Oat Creamer for a nutty twist. Just reduce the maple syrup slightly if your creamer is sweetened.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Start by brewing a double shot of espresso or a strong cup of coffee. While it’s brewing, warm your plant milk in a small saucepan over medium heat until it’s hot but not boiling — about 150°F if you have a thermometer. If you have a milk frother, transfer the warmed milk and froth until it doubles in volume, with a thick layer of foam on top.

In your mug, stir together the hot espresso (or coffee) with the maple syrup and walnut extract. Slowly pour the steamed milk over the coffee, holding back the foam with a spoon. Spoon the foam on top, then finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a few crushed walnuts for crunch. Serve immediately and enjoy the cozy aroma.

• For a stronger walnut flavor, let the walnut extract sit in the hot espresso for a few seconds before adding milk.
• If you don’t have walnut extract, toast a handful of walnuts in a dry pan for 2 minutes, then rub off the skins and crush them into your coffee grounds before brewing.

Ways to Customize Your Latte

This recipe is a great base to adapt to your taste or pantry. If you want a protein boost, you can add a scoop of unsweetened vanilla plant protein — just whisk it into the warm milk before frothing. For a lower-sugar version, use an unsweetened milk like Elmhurst’s Sweetened Cashew Milk (which is lightly sweetened but not overwhelming) and skip the extra maple.

You can also experiment with different creamers from the Oat Creamer Variety 6 Pack to change the flavor profile entirely. The Cinnamon Churro Cashew Creamer adds a spicy-sweet note, while the Caramel Brûlée Cashew Creamer brings a buttery caramel finish. Each one pairs surprisingly well with the walnut and maple combo, so feel free to rotate based on your mood.

Making a maple walnut latte at home lets you enjoy a café-worthy drink without the dairy, additives, or price tag. With a clean plant milk like Elmhurst’s Cashew Barista Edition and a few pantry staples, you can whip up a comforting, nutty latte that’s entirely yours. Try it once, and you’ll find yourself reaching for that frother every time the leaves start to turn.